Montenegro’s outgoing pro-Western government declared the ambassador of neighboring Serbia persona non grata Saturday, reflecting a spike in tensions days before the planned inauguration of a new, pro-Serb government in Montenegro.
The small Balkan nation’s Foreign Ministry cited “long and continuous meddling in the internal affairs of Montenegro” as the reason for the action and asked Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Bozovic to leave the country.
Serbia’s Foreign Ministry said later Saturday it responded in a “reciprocal manner.” State-run media reported that Montenegrin Ambassador Tarzan Milosevic was asked to leave Serbia within 72 hours.
However, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic reversed the decision and said that her country "wants to extend a hand for co-operation and friendship with Montenegro".
